A Social Impact NZ Forest Carbon Investment Model – with Blair Jamieson

The ForestLink newsletter signupTāmata HauhāBlair Jamieson on LinkedInWe’ve proven that it works — that you can invest in Māori land, generate real returns, and create meaningful change.In today’s episode, I’m joined by Blair Jamieson, CEO and Co-Founder of Tāmata Hauhā, a New Zealand–based company leading the way in Māori land investment, carbon forestry, and sustainable land-use transformation. Blair shares how his background in government shaped the creation of this mission-driven organisation, which helps Indigenous Māori landowners unlock economic opportunities by developing under-utilised land into long-term, intergenerational assets that generate both social impact and financial returns.We explore the realities and complexities of Māori land ownership and why building trust requires what Blair calls a “thousand cups of tea” approach — patient, relationship-centred engagement grounded in cultural respect. Blair explains how Tāmata Hauhā blends cultural integrity with commercial pragmatism, collaborating with more than 70 Indigenous groups to establish forests that deliver economic, community, climate, and biodiversity benefits.Blair also breaks down New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS), offering rare insights into how this compliance-based carbon market provides credibility, transparency, and liquidity unmatched by most voluntary carbon systems. We discuss the company’s investment model, expected returns, and its expansion into the Chatham Islands, where carbon forestry is reshaping remote communities and supporting nature-based climate solutions.Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Introduction00:23 – Meet Blair Jamieson & Tāmata Hauhā01:21 – What the Company Does02:25 – Blair’s Background in Government03:17 – Forestry as an Economic Enabler for Māori Land04:12 – Working with 70+ Indigenous Groups05:05 – Community Impact & Commercial Returns06:11 – Māori Land Ownership Explained09:39 – The “Thousand Cups of Tea” Approach12:39 – Māori Leadership Within the Company14:29 – History of Radiata & NZ Forestry17:35 – Moving Beyond Pine Monoculture20:06 – Nurse Crops & Native Regeneration22:27 – NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Overview24:30 – How NZU Compliance Markets Work31:51 – Carbon Prices & Market Dynamics33:38 – Investment Model Explained35:26 – Chatham Islands Projects39:35 – Māori vs Moriori: Cultural Context41:48 – Main Risks: Politics, Not Integrity45:12 – What’s Next for Tāmata Hauhā47:17 – Scaling & International Interest47:51 – Final Advice for New Forestry InvestorsProduction teamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound libraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudSign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.